Process monitoring using infrared optical diagnostics
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for detecting infrared light absorption by gaseous species in a processing chamber, comprising:
- an infrared light source;
a first optical assembly, coupled to a processing chamber, arranged so as to transmit light from the infrared light source into the processing chamber; and
a second optical assembly arranged so as to receive the light passing through the processing chamber and direct the passed light onto at least one optical sensor.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for real-time monitoring of the substrate and the gaseous process environment in a semi-conductor process step is described. The method uses infrared spectroscopy for in-situ analysis of gaseous molecular species in the process region and characterization of adsorbed chemical species on a substrate. The process monitoring can be applied to endpoint-and fault detection in etching and deposition processes, in addition to chamber cleaning and chamber condition steps.
35 Citations
37 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting infrared light absorption by gaseous species in a processing chamber, comprising:
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an infrared light source;
a first optical assembly, coupled to a processing chamber, arranged so as to transmit light from the infrared light source into the processing chamber; and
a second optical assembly arranged so as to receive the light passing through the processing chamber and direct the passed light onto at least one optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus for detecting infrared light absorption by adsorbed species on a substrate in a processing chamber, comprising:
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an infrared light source;
a first optical assembly, coupled to a processing chamber, arranged so as to direct light from the infrared light source onto a substrate to be processed in the processing chamber; and
a second optical assembly arranged to receive light reflected off the substrate and direct the reflected light onto at least one optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for detecting infrared light absorption by gaseous species and adsorbed substrate species in a processing chamber, comprising:
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an infrared light source;
a first optical assembly, coupled to the infrared light source, arranged so as to direct light from the infrared light source along first and second optical paths; and
a second optical assembly arranged so as to receive light along the first and second optical paths and direct the light to at least one optical sensor, wherein the first optical path directs the light through the processing chamber to the second optical assembly, and the second optical path reflects the light of a substrate to be processed in the chamber to the second optical assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of measuring infrared light absorption by gaseous species in a processing chamber, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting light from an infrared light source through a processing chamber;
collecting the transmitted light using an optical assembly;
directing the light onto an optical sensor capable of detecting infrared light;
detecting the light using the optical sensor; and
generating, within the optical sensor, electrical signals representative of the intensity of the light detected. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of measuring infrared light absorption by adsorbed species on a substrate in a processing chamber, the method comprising the steps of:
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reflecting infrared light from a substrate in a processing chamber;
collecting the reflected light using an optical assembly;
directing the light onto an optical sensor capable of detecting infrared light;
detecting the light using the optical sensor; and
generating, within the optical sensor, electrical signals representative of the intensity of the light detected. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method of measuring infrared light absorption by gaseous species and adsorbed species on a substrate in a processing chamber, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting infrared light through a processing chamber;
using a first optical assembly arranged so as to direct the light along first and second optical paths;
transmitting light along a first optical path through gaseous environment to a second optical assembly;
transmitting light along a second optical path, reflecting the light of a substrate to be processed to the second optical assembly;
collecting the transmitted light along first and second optical paths using a second optical assembly, directing the light onto an optical sensor;
detecting the light using an optical sensor capable of detecting infrared light; and
generating, within the optical sensor, electrical signals representative of the intensity of light incident the first and second optical paths.
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Specification